Who is Reverend?

By: K. B. Napier

Today, the title 'Reverend' is given to (and accepted by) clergy and ministers, especially if they have completed an approved theology or Bible course (approved by whom and by what authority is another matter!).  That is, men - and even women - are 'ordained' by a denomination, by a college or, by another 'ordained man'; they are 'ordained into the church' or 'ordained into the priesthood', etc.  A number of relevant observations should be made here:

Therefore, to say that only a trained person may 'enter the church' is nonsense.

In the 15th century pastors - mostly of the Roman Catholic cult, but also of the new Reformation group - were given the epithet  'reverend' as a show of respect. Note that the word was first used in the 15th century for the so-called 'clergy'! The word is not found within the true Church before that time. There were no historical precedents and there are no Biblical precedents or commands which require such titles...not even when referring to pastors.

In the 17th century, 'reverend' was used as a title, in much the same way as 'doctor' or 'captain' was used in other spheres of life.  However, by that time it was not so much a sign of respect, as a declaration of rank.  This idea of rank is clearly seen in the various sub-titles given to clergy:  'Most Reverend' for an Archbishop; 'Right Reverend' for a Bishop and 'Very Reverend' for a Dean. (The titles of 'Archbishop' and 'Dean' are not Biblical.  Nor is the title of 'Bishop' as it is used today).

Without doubt, the adoption of the title 'reverend' is without scriptural authority.  The term 'reverence' is permitted in certain circumstances (see later notes) but, such circumstances appear to be lacking today.  Many men (and women) use the title as a badge of self-induced honour, requiring others to give them credence simply because they bear the title.  Such see themselves as 'professionals' with a similar status to, say, doctors or social workers.  This is in complete opposition to Biblical principles concerning the place and role of pastors and the place of the Church as a whole.

One man, a local preacher/pastor known to this author, continually berated and belittled the well-earned public honours and titles of others...titles such as university degrees. However, he now parades under the title of 'reverend' without, of course, saying a word against himself!  The title was 'awarded' to him for his 'long service to preaching' and he proudly bears it, ensuring that it is displayed on the local church notice board and in advertisements.  Yet, he still berates the titles of others, even though they are quite legitimate.  In other words, the man is an hypocrite.

Another young preacher/pastor, who already bears the title of 'reverend' (because he has attended a Bible school), displays another form of hypocrisy and pride.  He said to one elderly Christian lady, who refused to pander to his pride: "You MUST treat me with respect - I am a Baptist minister!"  He expected the lady (who hated all forms of pride and hypocrisy) to bow the knee in subjection to him, simply because of a false title given to him by a Bible school; he demanded reverence.  God forbid that he should get it!

Others, good men, use the title, even though it is not scriptural to do so. Normally, these men would shun any idea of sin and pride in their lives - so why insist on retaining a man-made and unbiblical title?  These men often say that the title means nothing to them, but that it serves as a focal point when people meet them.  They say it is easier to speak to others when they use their title. This begs the question...why, then, did the Preacher of preachers, Jesus Christ Himself, call Himself the servant of all?  Why did He not insist on a title, such as Rabbi?  And why did He not command future pastors to use a title?  Why did Paul not give titles to the pastors he trained, or to himself?  Jesus allowed some to call Him 'lord', because it was a matter of fact - firstly, 'lord' was used commonly to denote a man of worth and honour; secondly, it was used of God - Who He, Jesus Christ, really was.  But 'reverend' applied to preachers and pastors?  I suggest it is not justified.  Let us see why...

The Word 'Reverend'

This word has NEVER been used in scripture to refer to a mere man.  Indeed, this word has never been used in scripture AS A TITLE.  The word 'reverend' was used only once - to refer to a quality of God Himself!  Can the reader see, then, why it should never be used as a title by men?  The reference is found in Psalm 111:9.

"He sent redemption unto His people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever.  Holy and reverend is his name."

The word 'holy' - qadowsh - means sacred, Holy One, saint.  Thus, it may speak of either God or a holy man;  qadowsh is rooted in qadash, meaning to be hallowed, to show oneself sacred or majestic, to be treated as sacred, to observe as holy, to be consecrated, to set apart, to keep oneself separate etc.  In the context of the text, it is obvious that 'holy' can speak only of God Himself. 

It can refer to a saint...but if we look at the meanings of 'saint' here and if we are brutally frank - how many men can have the words of this text applied to them..."reverend is his name"?  I do not know of any.  I know of many good, Christian men.  Quite a few of them are pastors.  But I cannot apply this accolade to them.  I certainly cannot apply it to myself!

The word 'reverend' or yare, means to fear, to revere, be afraid; to stand in awe of, to honour and respect; to cause astonishment and awe; to be held in awe; to inspire reverence/godly fear/awe.  Again - how many men can this be applied to?  None that I know of.  I certainly respect them, but none of them cause astonishment or awe in the way found in scripture.

As for 'name' in this text - it means a reputation, fame, glory. THE NAME (i.e. God).  So, if we put it all together in this verse, we can see that no man can match God's glory.  Indeed, the verse tells us "reverend is HIS name"...not anyone else's name!  Can the reader see what the author is trying to say?  Yes, there are men in history and in our day, who were/are head and shoulders above most other Believers when it comes to godliness.  But, none of them can honestly lay claim to this word 'reverend', when we see its context.  In context, it shows us the God Who gave us redemption, not a mere man who can only point the way to the Redeemer.

It is true that a man may be revered, in the sense that he can be held in utmost respect.  But that is not like calling him 'reverend'.  Apart from that, it is utter foolishness anyway, for the word 'reverend' is not even a title...it is a descriptive word, not a subject! Thus, as a title, the word is ungrammatical.

In Leviticus 19:30 we read:

"ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary:  I (am) the Lord."

This is repeated word for word in Leviticus 26:2. In chapter 19 verse 30, the word for reverence is yare (that is, it is the same as the word 'reverend' in Psalm 111).  But in chapter 26 verse 2, although the English word 'reverence' is used, the Hebrew is actually shachah meaning to bow down; to prostrate oneself before a superior in homage or before God in worship.  It may also refer to bowing down before false gods or before an angel.

The word 'angel' is greatly misunderstood - it can be used of men, as well as of spirit creatures or even of Jesus Christ.  However, in this text, it can only mean to bow in homage before Almighty God.  Further, there is no way that a pastor, no matter how holy, can allow others to bow in homage before him, as though he were superior.  It is, simply, the opposite to his role in life...to be a servant and an under-shepherd.  This is emphasised in the text by the phrase "I (am) the Lord".  The 'Lord' here is Jehovah or 'the existing One'; the proper name of the one true God.  Its structure is almost exactly that of the name "I AM" - a positional title used by God about Himself and which cannot be used of any creature.

The words "I AM" and "I am the Lord" are probably the most profound statements-of-being ever to be uttered.  There is no way a pastor may legitimately use the word (reverence) which is applied to "I AM".  That is, there is no way a mere man may (like the young, brash pastor mentioned above) claim the word for himself!  Others may want to use it in reference to him, but he cannot claim it or insist on its use in his presence, even for formal purposes (e.g. on a letter or at a function).  Nor may he insist on being called 'reverend', as though he were God.  Only a sense of self-importance and pride will allow a man to use the word 'reverend' as a title.  Those good men who currently use the title will examine themselves and will never again use the title for any purpose.  Such is their holiness and godly intent.

The argument does not mean that pastors and others cannot be revered by others.  But, a pastor who allows others to openly show this reverence or deference, in their presence, without feeling humility, can do so only in a spirit of pride.  No pastor may actively seek reverence, for if he does so (by using a title or by allowing its use) he loses it in the sight of God.  If a man allows its use for himself, then he is very subtly giving himself honours.  If others see him as 'worthy of double honour' then that is another matter...but if he tells others in word, title, or attitude, that he is worthy of such honour, then he is worthy of none at all.

There are instances in scripture when kings were reverenced (treated with deference because of their status); 2 Samuel 9:6 is an example, where the word for 'reverence' is translated as 'bowing low before a superior, a king'.  Bathsheba similarly reverenced David, because of his earthly status.  None of this can apply to a pastor.  The pastor has no earthly status or position.

In the New Testament we can find several uses of the word 'reverence'.  In the account of the husbandmen in Matthew 21:37 we see the word entrepo - to regard or reverence someone for their status.  This is used to speak of Jesus Christ, of course.

In Ephesians 5 husbands are told to love their wives and "the wife (see) that she reverence (her) husband."  The word for reverence in this case is phobeo - to treat with deference or obedience.  In this text, the age-old law of God is in operation, that a woman is subject to a man, for that is the order of creation decreed by God.  It is not a title or something a man may flaunt or use as a sign of power...it is just a statement of law.

In Hebrews 12:9 we see reverence (entrepo) for earthly fathers, because children must show respect for parents.  But in Hebrews 12:28 the word for reverence (referring to serving God acceptably) is aidos, meaning respect, sense of shame and honour, modesty, bashfulness, regard (i.e. with downcast eyes).  When we use the word 'reverend' as a title for ourselves, we overturn aidos and replace it with pride and self-bought honour, which is far removed from aidos - godly piety and humility. 

General Thoughts

Scripture tells us that pastors who genuinely serve the flock should be treated with double honour and with respect. A man who calls himself to the pastorate (as the majority appear to do) or, who ignores the qualities required of pastors, is not worthy of any honour at all. Scripture does not tell us that a pastor can insist on being honoured or that he can refer to himself as one to be revered!  Further, as the word 'reverend' is used only once in scripture to refer to an attribute of Almighty God, Christian logic and conscience should tell us that it is the height of pride and haughtiness for a mere man to use the same word as a title for himself, a mere created being.

To their credit, many who have been 'ordained' prefer not to use the title 'reverend', but they still use the word 'pastor' as a title. Their thoughts are well intended, but they are still not fully realised!  To use the word 'pastor' as though it were a title is also a mark of pride, even if such is not the intention, for we are just substituting 'pastor' for 'reverend'.  'Pastor' is a reference to a role and a function in life; it is not a title.  Once we use a title, we deliberately make ourselves different in status. 

Whilst various academic or professional honours have their place in society, because they state a specialism or an earned role, there is nothing in scripture which allows us to use titles to give us spiritual status.  We are all one in Christ; there are no levels of superiority.  We all have different levels of understanding and knowledge - but as these levels are all given by God and are not self-earned, there is no way we may lord it over others by using titles or self-made honours.  Nor is the pastorate an earned role.  It is a role assigned by God and maintained by Him.  There is nothing in us to warrant self-honour or titles, for it is ‘all in Christ’.

It has been argued that the title 'reverend' may be used by theologians and others who are not pastors, merely to distinguish them academically. This, however, is not a valid idea. Graduates who earn basic degrees do not have a title before their name.  Even if they then earn a higher degree (e.g. MA, MSc, MTh and so on), they do not bear a title.  Only those who earn their doctorate have a title - 'Doctor' - before their names.  Some choose to use the title and others do not...but such use is legitimate.  Use of a so-called pastoral title ('reverend') by pastors is, however, not legitimate.  A pastor who has earned an academic doctorate, on the other hand, may refer to himself as 'doctor', whether his higher degree is in theology or some other discipline.  But he may not use a title to indicate his pastoral role.

Pastors and others are requested to think seriously about this matter.  By losing their thoughts of self-esteem, true pastors will genuinely gain God's blessing and the double-honour due to them as servants of the Saviour.  Many godly pastors use the title of 'reverend'.  This Article is not meant to belittle them or their work.  Today, what is good is being swamped by what is evil.  The presence of pseudo-Christians almost obliterates the presence of true pastors.  It is a mistake to think that the way forward is to pander to the thinking of the world; if using 'reverend' is thought to be an answer, then readers are asked to think again.  Under-shepherds of Jesus Christ bear no pastoral titles.  To God, 'reverend' applied to His creatures is meaningless, except as a way of seeking human status.  That surely makes it fruitless, if not sinful.

Note: Like all preachers, Spurgeon had his flaws. On the matter of ordination, though, I concur with his views (from ‘Spurgeon’, by Arnold Dallimore, p47-8, Published by Banner of Truth) given below:

“On ordination he (Spurgeon) did not believe this was a scriptural practice and that he did not need it to validate his ministry. The blessing of God, he declared, was the divine seal upon his holding of the office. Man could not add anything to it."

and

“Similarly, Spurgeon rejected the title ‘Reverend’ (though he did succumb to its use very early in his pastorate). He said it was a remnant of Romanism, that the Reformers ought to have dropped... (he urged his students to use the more scriptural term ‘pastor’)”

In my daily work as Clinical Nurse Manager, I wear a badge with my title on it. Not because I want to, but because it is required by my employer. I suppose it has its uses, especially when new people enter my Unit. When I finally obtain my doctorate I shall not use the title ‘Doctor’, except in certain circumstances where other people expect to see or hear it. I would be entitled to use it without reproach or Biblical argument, but I am not one for pomp, nor do I feel the need for status.

When it comes to titles used to denote spiritual office, however, I remain adamant and I concur with Spurgeon and others. I would, though hesitate to use ‘pastor’ as a title. If strangers refer to me as ‘pastor’ in a letter or on first meeting, I ask them not to use it again as a title, and I explain that it is not a title, but an office. To use it as a title is to become an ‘officer’... but I am not an ‘officer’, I am one who performs an office or task. Therefore I neither want or allow such title for myself, which tends to elevate one above his fellows.

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